The National Trust Stackpole Centre in Pembrokeshire will reverberate to the sound of hundreds of fiddle strings being bowed on 28 – 30 August as the venue plays host to the well established and increasingly popular Fiddle Festival of Wales.

A truly unique gathering of musicians; the residential fiddle festival brings together enthusiasts, experts, tutors and learners from all over the United Kingdom in a weekend long celebration of the best that the world of fiddle music has to offer.

This year’s headline act at the Guest Concert on Thursday 28 August is the former Fairport Convention fiddle player Dave Swarbrick, with Kevin Dempsey on guitar and supported by Wales’ newly adopted bard and Eisteddfod winner Les Barker. The festival is about much more than just soaking up these great performances from a host of accomplished musicians and entertainers though.

There is a strong focus on learning, sharing and enjoying traditional music, with a group of 11 tutors on hand to provide inspiration and tuition through a series of workshops over the course of the weekend. In addition to their headline set on Thursday, Dave Swarbrick will be giving a master class on Friday 29 and Kevin Dempsey will hold two folk guitar workshops over the weekend. Then, on Friday night the tutors will all get together to show us how it’s done with their showcase concert!

© National Trust

The festival will also be making the most of the beautiful location at the National Trust Stackpole Centre which provides access to a National Nature Reserve, the Pembrokeshire coastal path and dramatic cliffs and stunning beaches. On Saturday a group of fiddlers will lead a walk (with fiddles) along some of the National Trust’s recommended paths, so brace yourselves for a few breezy cliff top tunes!

Whether you want to come and enjoy the magic of Dave Swarbrick and Kevin Dempsey, take part in a workshop or two or even enter the Welsh Celtic Fiddle Competition there is something for everyone. Come for a day or stay for the whole weekend, but make sure you don’t miss the Welsh fiddle event of the year! For more information on workshops, shows, accommodation and to book your place please visit www.fiddlefestivalofwales.org.uk or email info@fiddlefestivalofwales.org.uk